A timely message from a vigilant neighbour helped the Delhi Commission for Women foil a family’s bid to marry off their minor daughter in south-east Delhi’s Sangam Vihar on Tuesday.
Parents deny claims
A team from the commission visited the girl’s house and prevented the parents from going through with the marriage, said the DCW, adding that a police probe has also been launched. Her parents initially denied that they had plans to get the 16-year-old to tie the knot, which would be a violation of the law. However, the team members were told by neighbours that wasn’t the case and pointed out that the arrangements had taken place and some rituals were also performed.
It was one such neighbor who called the Commission on the women’s safety helpline. “We successfully stopped the marriage of a 16-year-old girl after receiving an anonymous complaint on the 181Women Helpline. The girl is a student of Class XI. The Commission’s Mobile Helpline (MHL) counsellor reached the house with the local police. They found that preparations were in full swing for the marriage, guests had gathered and the girl had mehendi on her hand,” said a statement issued by the Commission.
However, when the DCW and the police reached the house. the girl’s family said that they were getting the girl engaged and not married. “However, the neighbours informed that the girl was to be married the next day and the guests had already arrived at her place. The mehendi function had already taken place,” said DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal.
Mother’s health
“They told us the girl’s mother had kidney dysfunction and she wanted to get her daughter married as soon as possible. They said the girl was getting engaged and not married. However, on enquiring with the neighbours, the counsellor was informed that the minor was to get married the next day,” the statement added.
The girl comes from a poor family and is the eldest of four children. The girl is staying with her parents who have agreed to get her married only after she turns 18. DCP (South East) Romil Baaniya said the matter was being looked into. No case was registered till Thursday.
